Vikings vs Packers Game Preview

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikingslooked like a team on a mission following their Week 1 win over San Francisco. Minnesota won 24-16 but the score is deceptive as the Vikings thoroughly outplayed the Niners. The defence picked up where they left off and forced four Niner turnovers including limiting Jimmy Garoppolo to a 45.1 QB rating. They come to Lambeau at an opportune time as Aaron Rodgers is hobbled and ripe for picking.

Green Bay Packers

The question in every Packersfans mind is: does Rodgers have any magic left? The Packers overcame his second-quarter injury and a 20-point deficit to stun the Bears with a late comeback victory. Chicago was dominating Green Bay during the first half but a one-legged Rodgers quickly turned the tides in the second. The Vikings are a more experienced defence and won’t be exploited as easily as the Bears.

Game Snippet

The score is even at Lambeau in both teams’ last five meetings (2-2-1) although one of the Vikings’ wins came when Rodgers got hurt. Even when he’s not at full capacity, Rodgers has the ability to pull a W out of nowhere. But asking him to string two miraculous performances together is a lot, especially against the NFC’s best defence.

Vikings vs Packers Betting Tips

1

Vikings are 4-1 S/U against the Packers over their last five

2

Both teams are 2-2-1 S/U against each other in their last five games at Green Bay

3

Packers are 1-4 ATS against the Vikings over their last five

4

The total has gone under in 4 of the last 5 games when the Vikings play in Green Bay

Vikings vs Packers Game Prediction

Moneyline Prediction

Minnesota may have the NFL’s best defence but that may not matter as Rodgers is a matchup-proof quarterback. Even with one good leg, he will keep the Packers in games. Rodgers is 12-6 versus the Vikings and 6-2 in Lambeau, overall. But this may be the best Vikings team he’ll face.

The Vikings have Pro Bowlers on all levels of defence from their linesmen to their linebackers to their secondary. But most importantly, they have playmakers on offence that could win them games. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen are one of the best receiver combos and their new quarterback has a lot to prove.

Cousins had a solid debut and he’ll be better than Mitchell Trubisky at closing out the Packers should they try to explode on them. The disparity between passing defences, Minnesota was 3rd versus Green Bay at 29th in QB Rating in 2017, will be the difference.

Despite both teams having prolific offences, there is a decent chance this game is a low-scoring affair. The totals have gone under in six of the last seven meetings between Minnesota and Green Bay. Unlike Chicago, Minnesota won’t unravel and will keep the pressure for all four periods.

As great as Rodgers is, it’s unlikely he replicates his performance (130.7 QB Rating) against the Bears. And the Packers’ defence isn’t great but good enough to get some stops. A less-than-stellar Rodgers and the Vikings D will produce a total that will go under.